KARAKTERISTIK CAIRAN RUMEN, JENIS, DAN JUMLAH MIKROBIA DALAM RUMEN SAPI JAWA DAN PERANAKAN ONGOLE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RUMEN FLUIDS, TYPE AND NUMBER OF RUMINAL MICROBES IN JAVA AND ONGOLE GRADE BULLS

The purpose of this study was to obtain data on the characteristics of rumen fluids, type and the number of microbes in Java and Ongole Grade (OG) bulls rumen. The material used in the study were 12 samples of the rumen fluids (6 of Java bulls and 6 of OG bulls) collected from the slaughter house in Brebes, Central Java. The rumen fluids were analyzed for the pH, NH3, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and microbes content which could be divided into: protozoa, bacteria and fungi. The data were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the value of pH rumen fluid of Java bulls (6.83) was slightly higher than those in the OG bulls (6.67), but both were still in normal condition. NH3 concentration of Java bulls’ rumen fluid (8.75 mg N/100ml) was higher than those of the OG bulls (7.49 mg N/100ml). Concentration of acetate and butyrate of Java bulls’ rumen fluid was lower than those of the OG bulls, but the propionate concentration was higher. The acetate-propionate ratio of Java bulls’ rumen fluid was lower than those of the OG bulls. Number of protozoa in Java bulls’ rumen fluid (64.12 per µl of rumen fluid) was lower than those in the OG bulls (76.33 per µl of rumen fluid). The number of Java rumen fluid bacteria (2.7 x 10 7 cfu/g) was lower than those in the OG (2.3 x 10 8 cfu/g), but the amount of Java rumen fluid fungi (9.3 x 10 4 cfu/g) was higher than those of the OG (1.9 x 10 3 cfu/g). It was concluded that the pH of rumen fluid in either bulls were neutral, but the NH3 concentration, propionate acid and the number of fungi in the rumen fluid of Java was higher than those of the OG, so that the acetatepropionate ratio was lower in Java which showed that Java cattle has the potential to produce higher weight gain.